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The Paradizo family serves at MAF headquarters in Nampa, Idaho, with Erick working as an instructor pilot and as the Director of Safety. His flight training equips new missionary pilots, from the US and abroad, to serve with MAF around the world. He also evaluates seasoned MAF pilots to make sure they are up-to-date and operating safely. Without instructors like Erick, missionary pilots could not be deployed to bring the love of Christ to the isolated corners of the world. As the Director of Safety, Erick ensures that the pilots and mechanics at headquarters are operating according to MAF’s high safety standards. Joanna keeps busy raising their three young boys as well as serving with Erick as worship directors at their local church.
Erick was raised in a Catholic home in Ponce, Puerto Rico. His passion for aviation grew from childhood, when his grandfather would fly him high above Puerto Rico in a Cessna 152. He earned a bachelor’s degree in aviation management at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico while learning to fly at a small flight school in San Juan. In 2010, he moved to Nashville, TN to learn English and pursue his dream of becoming an airline pilot. Erick was embraced by a loving family who led him to the Lord in 2012. His life radically changed, and he traded his dream for an even greater calling.
In 2013, Erick felt God leading him to become a missionary pilot. He then worked hard to obtain the airplane mechanic license he needed to become a missionary pilot. He also obtained his flight instructor certificate, and taught at Nashville Flight Training.
Joanna was born in Tacoma, Washington and was raised in a Christian home. She was blessed to know Christ at a young age and was filled with a passion for missions, the arts, and ministry. After completing Disciple Training School with YWAM, she attended Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario, Oregon. She worked as a singer/songwriter and music teacher in the Boise area before moving to Nashville. In Nashville, her love for other cultures flourished as she taught English as a second language to immigrants and refugees.
Joanna and Erick met at church in Nashville, and sparks flew when they discovered they shared a calling for missions. They were married in July 2016. Ten months later, they moved to Idaho where Erick worked as a hangar intern at MAF headquarters. They officially joined MAF as a missionary pilot/mechanic family in 2018. They now live in Emmett, Idaho with their three boys, Archer, Baron, and Leo.
God calls the men and women of MAF to serve Him in unique ways. He may also be calling you to a special role in Erick and Joanna’s ministry. Please prayerfully consider becoming a ministry partner with them through prayer and/or financial support.
The U.S. offices of MAF serve as a hub for MAF services worldwide. A day in the life here includes specialized flight training, staff mobilization and counseling, purchasing and shipping of aircraft parts, finance and accounting, administration of an Internet gateway for worldwide email, fund raising, printing and mailing of various materials, and many, many more activities. Some staff serve around the country; training future pilots and mobilizing potential candidates to serve with MAF.
MAF missionaries raise support for a pooled fund out of which MAF covers salary, housing, benefits, and staff-related ministry expenses. MAF exercises discretion over the use of missionary support in the exercise of its mission and care of its staff.
